10 Ways To Love Memphis This December (2015)

Posted by Holly Whitfield |
November 30th 2015
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Welcome to December, Memphis! I’ve teamed up with Volunteer Odyssey to bring you unique ways to give back and love Memphis. This month, we have everything from angel tree gifts to cheering sections to bicycle burrito delivery.

2. St Jude I Love Memphis Cheering Section: Saturday, December 5 from 8 – 10 am
I Love Memphis is going all out for the St. Jude Marathon again this year, and you’re invited! We’ll have a loud, happy group with signs to encourage marathoners to keep going, keep their chins up, and remember why they’re running. Join us starting at 8 a.m. until around 10 a.m. through the afternoon for coffee and donuts (while they last!). We’ll have a few signs, but feel free to bring your own.Sign up or get more info

3. VolunCheers with Volunteer Odyssey: Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00.Join us for VolunCheers – our volunteer happy hour is an easy way to volunteer for busy professionals. Drinks and food provided.

4. Angel Tree Adoption Event: Daily through December 14, multiple shifts
You can give a Merry Christmas to thousands of Mid-South children and seniors by assisting with the Angel Tree adoption center at Wolfchase Galleria and Oak Court Mall. Short training provided at the beginning of your shift.

5. Make a pledge to volunteer in 2016The holidays are a very popular time to volunteer and those spots fill up fast! We know you want to help, so Volunteer Odyssey created a system for you to pledge your holiday volunteering for a date in the future! Pledge to volunteer 4 hours of your time in 2016. Pick your birthday, your anniversary, a day in honor of a family member, or any other day that’s special to you. Pick your target month and we’ll send you a reminder. Make a Pledge

6. Orion’s Starry Nights: Every evening November 20th – December 31st. They especially need volunteers on Monday, November 30th.
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park is a holiday tradition. More than 1.5 million lights illuminate the night sky in the largest drive-through holiday light show and festival in the Mid-South! But Starry Nights is more than a show–it’s an experience. Volunteers will be needed to help with ticket sales, merchandise sales, and traffic and parking assistance.

7. Room in the Inn: Every night and every morning in December!
How we love Room in the Inn. Let us count the ways. If you have a crazy schedule, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. Room in the Inn houses homeless guests at congregations all across Memphis during the winter months. There are volunteer opportunities every single evening and every single morning in all parts of the city. Want an easy way to get started? Help with registration from 4:30-6:30 pm any night in November.

8. Deliver Burritos by Bike: Wednesdays in December 7:30-9:30
Connect with the homeless and hungry of Memphis while biking through downtown. You can provide a hot burrito and a blanket to those who go hungry each night. You’ll go with a group that knows the route well. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.

9. Carpenter Art Garden Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 15, 2:30-6:00
Join the kids of Binghampton for a high-energy Christmas Party. They need lots of hands to pass out gifts, food and surprises for the kids.

10. Lunch and Learn: Tuesday, December 29th.
Join the Dorothy Day House for lunch to learn about their amazing outreach to homeless families. This is a great way to learn about how you can help homeless families and children in Memphis. Limited space. Please RSVP in advance.

If you sign up for one of the above opportunities (or find another one through Volunteer Odyssey), please let me know. I’d love to give a shout-out to you next month. Who knows? Maybe your experience will encourage others to give back and give Memphis some lovin’, too.

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Author: Holly Whitfield

I write about what’s going on with Memphis music, food, arts, events, sports, people, and culture. Memphians love Elvis and barbeque with a passion that must be seen to be believed, but there is so much more to this place.